Rail joint



May 26, 1936. F OL 2,042,089

' RAIL JOINT Filed Aug. 21, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l May 26, 1936. R F2,042,089

RAIL JOINT.

Filed Aug. 21, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 26, 1936 UNITED STATESOFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a rail joint and it aims to provide anexceedingly strong and enicient construction.

More specifically, it is aimed to provide a construction utilizing aplate or chair of channel shape in cross section adapted to be spiked tothe ties, and in turn tosupport the ends of the adjacent rails, incombination with a novel sliding or wedge plate and a locking platehaving toothed connections with the wedge plate.

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from aconsideration of the description following taken in connection withaccompanying drawings illustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawings:-

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the joint applied to rails and inthe process of application; 2 Figure 2 is a side elevation of thereverse side of the joint and rails of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the joint and rails;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 4 e of Figure 2;

25 Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional View taken on the line 5-5 ofFigure 2;

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 65 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view taken on the 30 line 'l'l of Figure2;

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of a part of the rail jointand 35 Figure 10 is a front elevation of the locking member.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the improved constructionconsists of a one piece chair or plate I0 adapted to be secured to theordinary ties H as by means of spikes I2 driven into the same and inturn directly engaging lugs [3 on such chair. Such plate or chair I1! isgenerally of channel shape in cross section but centrally has a web l4and tread or ball l5, corresponding to such parts on the usual railswhich are generally designated [5. The channel-shaped portions of thechair are thus at opposite ends thereof and along one side have L-shapedflanges H to overlap the base flanges of the rails I6 and at theopposite side have flanges l8 which overlap not only the base flangesbut extend vertically the height of the web l4 so that the tread flangeswill rest thereon. At the lower end of the web 55 I4 is a base flange l9integral therewith and also integral with the base, corresponding withthe base flanges of the rails 16.

The distance between said flanges ll and I8 is much greater than thewidth of the base flange of the rail so that the chair Ill may beapplied to the rails, before fastening to the ties, by angulardisposition of the chair with respect to the rails and then turning thechair relatively to the rails substantially on a longitudinal axis ofthe rails, the portions l4, l5, and [9, thus being between the rails andin effect forming a continuation thereof. In addition, through theaforesaid movement, lugs 20 on the flange l8, extend into openings 2| inthe webs of the rails Hi.

In order to secure the rails within the chair IS, a slidable bar 22 isemployed which intimately engages the inner surface of the flange I! andintimately engages the base flanges of the rails, flange IS, the Webs ofthe rails, web l4, and under surface of the tread flanges of the railsand said flange Hi, the latter having a depending flange 23 whichoverlaps the bar 22.

It will be noted that said slidable bar 22 has rack teeth at 24 andadjacent the same, in portion 25 which engages the rail web, has a hor-5 izontally elongated slot 26 and in registry therewith, the web I4 hasan opening 2! therethrough. The base flange l9 also has integral with itand integral with the flange I1, an enlargement 28 provided with aconcaved bearing surface 29. As a result, as best shown in Figures 1 and8, a shaft 30 may be removably journaled in the opening 21. Shaft 30carries a pinion 3| which meshes with the rack teeth 24. The oppositeend of shaft 30 is polygonal as at 32 and removably engaged by thecorresponding opening in a lever 33. As a result, through turning of thelever, which may be of the ratchet type, a pinion 3! will slide theslide bar 22 into operative position, after which the shaft 30, pinion3! and lever 33 may be removed, the depression 29 affording clearancefor the removal of the pinion. It will be clear, that in some instances.slide bar 22 may be driven in place from one end. Said slide bar, also,if desired may be of wedge shape in cross section, and the surfacesengaged thereby similarly inclined.

After the positioning of the slide bar 22, a locking bar 34 as detailedin Figure 10 is applied, such bar occupying most of the slot 26, as bestshown in Figure 5 and having portions 35 overlapping the webs of therails and engaging the under surfaces of their tread flanges. Betweensuch portions 35, a slot 36 is provided which interlocks with the treadI 5 and flange 23. Said locking member also has rack teeth 3'! whichinterfit the rack teeth 24 and since a screw stem 38 extends rigidlyfrom the fastening member through the opening 21 and receives a washerand nut 39 and 40 on the reverse side of the chair, the parts areeifectively fastened in position.

It will be realized that the construction is applicable to rails withoutdisturbing the spikes which directly secure the rails to ties, since therails do not have to be moved longitudinally one relatively to theother. Additional strength is afforded as well as an increase in thespring cushioning or resilient action to offset the shock encountered inuse.

In addition to the nut 40, it is clearrthat a permutation lock may alsobe used to prevent tampering with the parts. It" will be realized thatthe various angles employed support each other under stress and strain,that the parts may be readily cast in the process of manufacture, andthat there is due allowance for expansion and contraction under climaticconditions.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spiritand scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:-

A rail joint comprising a chair having an intermediate portion of railshape adapted to be abutted by the rails, portions of channel shapereceiving the rails on opposite sides of said intermediate portion, asliding bar to fasten the chair and rails together held in place by thechair engaging the first-mentioned portion and being disposed in each ofsaid channel-shaped portions, fastening means passing through saidintermediate portion having a locking member ention interengaged withsaid locking member.

ROBERT F. BOLAM.

